Shadowless Night

They meant to compliment her, but they made a mistake in the excitement of meeting the great Dimla.

[The great Baiferm…]

How many times had she heard people start with these words? Instead of hitting the fools on the head with her cane, Dimla kindly explained using her words.

[That’s in the old past. Presently, Dope-Zertaye Dimla is just protecting the Baiferm. I hope you understand.]

But even after she had said that the stupid fools still made the same mistake. Everyone seemed to interpret her words as modesty, including the Emperor, Laino Girantes Illavenia. Dimla was still unsure whether the Emperor’s head was just for decoration because his son, Elpidio, showed a similar brainlessness.

So Dimla had come without expecting anything from Ricardis. Seeing his smooth face, she thought his head at least had some value as an ornament, but look at this situation.

His eyes were deep lakes reflecting the bright luster of the moon. Luckily, I met a sane guy. Dimla was a little intrigued. The fact that the two children of Gala-Zertaye followed him also added to her curiosity.

Dimla smiled, brightening her stern face.

“Prince Ricardis.”

“Yes, Regent.”

“This old body doesn’t have much time left. It’s been a long time, and I’ve forgotten how to talk in a roundabout way.”

“Please speak comfortably.”

“I have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the Empire while Lagos’ wounds still bleed. Can I tell you this?”

It was very straightforward. Ricardis laughed softly.

“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t behind Young Lord Calyx’s diplomatic actions today.”

“So, you’re saying you didn’t know about it?”

Ricardis gave a stunning smile.

“I didn’t order it, but that doesn’t mean I’m dissatisfied with this situation. I’m happy you’re here, and I won’t waste this opportunity. Have a cup of tea and relax. There will be nothing more going against the Regent’s will.”

Ricardis filled Dimla’s cup himself. Dimla was surprised that the act of pouring tea could look so elegant. She let out a laugh. Few people kept their bravery when facing her, and even fewer dared to look straight into her eyes as a true equal rather than pretending to be one. Should she call him someone with an impressive mind or someone with the guts of a fearless dog?

Dimla leaned back in her chair, staring at the man who stood like a painting dappled in the shadows of leaves under the bright sun.

“I’ve grown tired of endlessly meeting people while in Illavenia. I will be grateful for the time you suggested.”

Since Dimla said she would take a break, she didn’t act like someone facing one of the successors of the only empire on the continent. They sat together but did not make eye contact, let alone talk. Eye contact was impossible in the first place because Dimla had her eyes closed.

So Ricardis looked away from her and traced the path of the blowing wind with his eyes. It was a beautifully sunny day with clouds embroidered in the sky.

Dimla, sitting comfortably with her eyes closed and leaning on the backrest, opened her eyes and looked around. A green garden where colorful flowers fully bloomed and a warm breeze blew. At the other end were Baiferm Guandite and Calyx. And then she saw Rosaline.

Dimla’s eyes, which burned fiercely at Ricardis, now contained the warmth of a hearth in the middle of winter. Ricardis followed her gaze and fixed his eyes on Rosaline.

When Guandite said something, Rosaline smiled slightly. Ricardis, who looked at her, unknowingly had a smile on his lips. Maybe it was because he rarely saw her smile. He couldn’t take his eyes off Rosaline’s smile in the sun. I wish you would smile more often. How pretty you are, smiling like that.

“Prince Ricardis.”

Suddenly, the soul which had wandered to Rosaline’s side returned to its original location: the table under the shade of a large tree, where its owner sat with the Regent of Lagos, which ruled the northern continent.

“Yes, Regent.”

Ricardis hid his flinch and tried to answer calmly, but he ultimately showed a bit of his startle. Dimla’s expression distorted. You little punk…  He thought she was going to swear at him. Ricardis was perplexed, not knowing what caused her sudden discontent.

Dimla turned her head toward her three great-grandchildren, then turned back to Ricardis. The emotion that soon appeared on her face was astonishment.

“… Regent? Is there any problem…”

“Sabek’s eldest child had a hard time in this distant, cold land because something happened. I came here to thank you for ending her inner struggle, but…”

[T/N: No, seriously, I’m as confused as you are]

Ricardis exchanged glances with Isserion. He hadn’t thought there was a reason for her rare visit to Moonstone Castle. Dimla still glanced at Ricardis up and down with a look of dismay.

“…Now I see… that might not be necessary. It was my misunderstanding.”

Ricardis’ face flushed. He knew exactly what Dimla was trying to say. Could it be that I was staring at Rosaline too closely? He opened his mouth to make an excuse, but Dimla’s scorching gaze seemed to see through everything already.

“…Have I been revealed?”

“’Have you been revealed?’ Your face says it all. Her beauty distracts your attention.”

Ricardis coughed and turned his head elsewhere. It was an action he did unconsciously to avoid a difficult situation, but it was even more embarrassing when Rosaline entered his field of vision. Even when I turn my head…

Her profile, squatting and talking to Guandite, shone softly in the sun. Blinking, she slowly turned her head. Ricardis stopped breathing the moment their eyes met. And when Rosaline showed her teeth and smiled brightly, his heart also stopped beating.

She ran towards him with her hands cupped as if she were scooping water. No, Rosaline! Not now! Ricardis felt a cold sweat run down his spine as Dimla’s eyes narrowed. Ricardis tried to feign calm because it seemed like they would meet no matter what.

“Your Highness. Regent.”

“Well, Sir Rosaline. What brings you here?”

“Look at this.”

As she approached the table, she suddenly held out her hand. Ricardis and Dimla’s gaze turned to the hollow of her cupped hands. Chirp. Chirp. It was a little white bird, crying with a tinny voice atop a pile of leaves.

Dimla made a sound of admiration.

“It’s an animal you can’t see in Lagos.”

“It looks like it fell out of its nest. People say the mother might throw it away if it smells like a human, so I wrapped it in leaves for the time being. I brought it here to show you before putting it back into its nest.”

Rosaline looked at Ricardis with pride. Ricardis smiled, completely forgetting the burning stare of Dimla next to him. She wanted to show me something pretty and cute, so she carried it here. How cute… His heartbeat quickened.

“It looks just like Your Highness.”

Ah, it would have been better if she hadn’t said that. Ricardis’ smile hardened.

“White and soft.”

His face flushed. Rosaline’s comparison of a burly man to a baby bird made Ricardis want to find a rat hole and hide.

“Don’t you want to protect it because it’s cute?”

She shredded Ricardis’ heart in a short amount of time. So you want to protect me because… I’m white, soft, and cute… Okay…

“Yes… very… cute… Sir Rosaline, thanks for your care…”

Ugh… Ricardis clenched his fists under the table.

“…I’ve seen it now. It’s the first time I’ve seen a young bird this close. Thank you, Sir Rosaline. Uh, it’s better to put it back soon in case its mother is looking for it. Be careful… when you climb up the tree.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Rosaline smiled broadly and ran back to Guandite and Calyx. Dimla looked at Ricardis with a gaze that was a mixture of pity and irritation. She could roughly guess what a man would feel when told he was white, soft, and cute by a woman he had in his mind.

“…I hope you don’t say anything, Regent.”

“I didn’t plan to say anything, but it seems you’re expecting something, so let me add a few words.”

Ricardis buried his face in his hands. The great-granddaughter and great-grandmother took turns attacking and leaving him stunned.

“I asked Sabek before she got married what she liked about Radwiell.”

Having heard from Calyx, Ricardis knew that Sabek was Countess Radwiell’s name. Ricardis bowed his head quietly and listened to Dimla.

“She said he was cute.”

Ricardis stiffened with his face buried in his hands. He could neither laugh nor cry. So Countess Radwiell, too, wasn’t ordinary to see the rugged, scarred man as cute.